The January transfer window is approaching, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham all exploring moves to strengthen their squads for the second half of the season. Arsenal are reportedly targeting Endrick, while also keeping tabs on Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi, RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa and Juventus star Kenan Yildiz. Mikel Arteta is also said to be interested in Alex Baena and Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez.
Arsenal lead race for Antonio Nusa
Arsenal have been told they lead the race for Antonio Nusa ahead of a £50million January transfer battle for the RB Leipzig winger. Former Norway midfielder Kristoffer Lokberg believes Nusa is now ready to make another step in his career and says Arsenal are the strongest option.
Speaking on NRK's Bakrommet podcast, via Sport Witness, he said: "He is one of the world's most exciting left-wingers. We have been waiting for his potential to come to full bloom, but now it is exploding. Big clubs can no longer sit on the fence, they must act quickly before he disappears, or they will be left regretting it."
Lokberg continued: "The completely obvious option in the Premier League is Arsenal. The player fits their playing style, and the club has a real need. They basically only have Tzolis and a slightly half-hearted Eberechi Eze as options on the left wing. I think Arsenal sit around every day, weighing whether to pull the trigger."
Arsenal target Endrick and monitor Zion Suzuki
Arsenal are eyeing a potential January move for Real Madrid forward Endrick. However, reports in Spain claim the Gunners will face competition from Roma and Sporting for the Brazilian, who are both keen to take him on loan until the end of the season. A loan move may favour Endrick as he is not yet ready to give up on his Real Madrid career.
Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are keeping tabs on Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki following his impressive start at Villa Park. The 24-year-old Japan international has attracted interest from several European giants after arriving from Parma for £30m in the summer. According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham are also monitoring Suzuki's progress.
Man Utd manager search and transfer targets
Mauricio Pochettino is set to be appointed the new Manchester United manager, to replace Michael Carrick but could be dealt a huge blow with captain Bruno Fernandes reportedly rejecting a fresh contract offer from the club. However, USMNT defender Alex Freeman and striker Folarin Balogun are said to be of interest to Pochettino as he targets a mini squad overhaul.
Didier Deschamps has reportedly turned down an approach over the Manchester United manager's job, as more details emerge over the future of Michael Carrick. Carrick's position at Old Trafford has been subject to severe scrutiny for several weeks now following a miserable eight-game winless run across all competitions that was the club's worst since the 1988/89 season.
Such a dire sequence was only snapped on Tuesday night as Man Utd staged an incredible turnaround following an abysmal first half to beat depleted Roma 3-2 at home in the Champions League, though it remains to be seen how much respite that offered their beleaguered head coach.
Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham latest
Chelsea are confident of securing a deal for Alex Scott when the window opens, while Liverpool are monitoring Mexico youngster Gilberto Mora and Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara. Trent Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, continues to be linked with a surprise return to Anfield after leaving for Real Madrid.
Tottenham retain matching rights on Harry Kane despite his new Bayern Munich contract, reports claim. The England captain yesterday put pen to paper on a lucrative contract extension in Bavaria until 2029 that is said to make him the highest-paid player in Europe in terms of base salary. That bumper new deal does not impact Tottenham's first-option right to match any future bids for Kane, per The Telegraph. That agreement was reached during his initial exit from Spurs in 2023 and is said to lie outside of his contract, so has been unaffected.
Real Madrid look to have won the race for Manchester United sensation JJ Gabriel. The teenage star shocked Old Trafford chiefs back in September by stating his desire to leave the club immediately, just days before he was expected to make his senior debut aged just 15. Fabrizio Romano now reports that Gabriel has chosen the Bernabeu and that his camp have informed all parties of his decision.
